China’s Unitree unveils ‘guardian’ robot that can disarm attackers, lift cars

A knife-wielding intruder is confronted. A car is lifted to free a trapped victim. A pedestrian is pulled from the path of an oncoming vehicle.

The scenes described are not from a Hollywood blockbuster, but a promotional clip for a new “guardian” robot created by the Chinese technology firm Unitree Robotics.

The footage for the H2-X model, released on Wednesday, underscores a wider shift in strategy by the Hangzhou-based firm, as it focuses on finding practical, real-world uses for its athletic robots.

Unitree shot to fame with a series of viral stunts – with its robots performing martial arts routines, dances and somersaults – helping the company raise massive amounts of capital. But China’s robotics industry is now coming under growing pressure to deliver commercial returns.

Unitree recently signalled a pivot towards practical capabilities. Last month, the company announced that its UnifoLM-X2-1.0 artificial intelligence model allowed humanoid robots to spar autonomously by punching, blocking and dodging.

The H2-X – dubbed “Kung Fu Legend: Guardian” – builds on Unitree’s H2 model, a full-sized humanoid standing 1.8 metres tall and weighing about 70kg.

According to its product description, the earlier model had 31 degrees of freedom and a maximum leg-joint torque of 360 newton metres – though Unitree did not confirm whether the H2-X would retain these specifications.

Unitree Robotics unveils ‘kung fu’ robot bodyguard

The company said the newer model could operate for about eight hours while standing, but did not disclose when the robot would go on sale, how much it would cost, or provide detailed technical specifications.

Unitree also did not clarify whether the actions shown in the promotional video were performed autonomously or were choreographed in some way. Nor did it say whether the H2-X could independently identify threats and respond safely in unscripted environments.

Unitree concluded the video with a warning against dangerous modifications and unauthorised uses, advising customers to maintain a safety buffer of at least two to three metres from the unit.

When contacted for comment on Wednesday, a company representative declined to provide additional details, stating that “everything is subject to the official announcement video”.

The new robot’s unveiling comes as Unitree and its peers face heightened scrutiny from investors demanding clear paths to sustainable revenue growth, technological moats and viable deployment scenarios.

Unitree’s shares closed down 2.1 per cent at 515 yuan on Wednesday, snapping a three-day rally that had seen the stock gain nearly 30 per cent. The stock is down about 39 per cent from its debut price of 845 yuan, achieved during its listing on Shanghai’s Star market in August.

In a regulatory filing on Tuesday, the company said it was unaware of any undisclosed information driving a recent unusual stock price movement.